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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

2 Corinthians 3:2–9

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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8 selected · 2 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

40 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:1–2Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    1AM I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

    2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

  2. 1 Thessalonians 1:8Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    8For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

  3. Romans 1:8Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

  4. Philippians 1:7Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    7Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

  5. 1 Corinthians 3:10Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

From verse 3

  1. Ezekiel 11:19Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

  2. Jeremiah 31:33Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  3. Hebrews 8:10Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

  4. Hebrews 10:16Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

  5. Psalms 40:8Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

From verse 4

  1. Philippians 1:6Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

  2. Ephesians 3:12Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

  3. 1 Thessalonians 1:8Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    8For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

  4. 2 Corinthians 2:14Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

  5. Exodus 18:19Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    19Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

From verse 5

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:9Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  2. Philippians 4:13Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

  3. 1 Corinthians 15:10Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  4. Philippians 2:13Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

  5. John 15:5Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

From verse 6

  1. John 6:63Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

  2. Romans 7:6Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

  3. Jeremiah 31:31Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    31¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

  4. Romans 8:2Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

  5. Hebrews 8:6–10Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    6But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

    7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

    8For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

    9Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

    10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

From verse 7

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:9–11Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

    10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

    11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

  2. 1 Corinthians 13:10Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

  3. Exodus 31:18Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    18¶ And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

  4. Romans 10:4Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

  5. 2 Corinthians 3:3Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

From verse 8

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:16Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

  2. Ephesians 2:18Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

  3. 1 Peter 1:2Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

  4. 2 Thessalonians 2:13Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

  5. Galatians 3:14Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

From verse 9

  1. Hebrews 12:18–21Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    18For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

    19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

    20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

    21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

  2. Romans 3:21–22Rank 2 from verse 9
    Open

    21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

    22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

  3. 2 Corinthians 5:21Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  4. 1 Corinthians 1:30Rank 4 from verse 9
    Open

    30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

  5. 1 Corinthians 15:41Rank 5 from verse 9
    Open

    41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

2 Corinthians 3:2

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hearts

↗

The inward lives of persons: their thoughts, understanding, conscience, affections, desires, purposes, will, courage, or disposition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

read

↗

To perceive and understand written words, whether silently or by uttering them aloud.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Corinthians 3:3

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

manifestly

↗

Clearly; evidently; plainly; in a manner to be clearly seen or understood.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

declared

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of declare, meaning to make known, tell, announce, proclaim, explain, show, or state plainly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ministered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of minister. Sense 1: To serve, attend, or perform service. Sense 2: To give, afford, supply, convey, or cause what is named to be supplied.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ink

↗

A dark liquid or substance used for writing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

living

↗

Sense 1: Alive or having life. Sense 2: As a noun, one's means of support or possessions.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tables

↗

Flat tablets or boards for writing; or pieces of furniture or surfaces used for food, money, or other business.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

stone

↗

Sense 1: A piece or mass of rock. Sense 2: To strike or kill with stones.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Corinthians 3:4

COMBINED MEANING

trust

↗

Sense 1: Confidence or reliance placed in a person or thing. Sense 2: To rely upon, confide in, or place confidence in. Sense 3: Something committed to another's care or charge.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

2 Corinthians 3:5

COMBINED MEANING

sufficient

↗

Enough, adequate, competent, or equal to the stated need, work, purpose, cost, burden, or occasion.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

think

↗

1. To form or hold a thought. 2. To judge or suppose. 3. To intend. 4. To consider or remember. 5. To imagine or esteem.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

2 Corinthians 3:6

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

able

↗

Having physical power sufficient; having competent power or strength, bodily or mental.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

new

↗

Recently made, begun, known, or received; fresh, different, or not old.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

testament

↗

Sense 1: A covenant. Sense 2: A solemn disposition of an inheritance.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616 · Cawdrey 1604 · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Corinthians 3:7

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ministration

↗

Service, ministry, administration, or the work or office of supplying or conveying something to others.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Israel

↗

The name given to Jacob and, by extension, his descendants, their nation, or the people so called.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

face

↗

The front of the head and its countenance or expression; the front, surface, outward appearance, presence, view, or personally known identity of a person, place, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

glory

↗

Sense 1: Splendour, honour, praise, majesty, or a ground of rejoicing or boasting. Sense 2: To boast, exult, take pride, or rejoice in a person or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

countenance

↗

1. The face, or its appearance or expression. 2. Favour, regard, or presence expressed toward someone. 3. To favour or support.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Corinthians 3:8

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ministration

↗

Service, ministry, administration, or the work or office of supplying or conveying something to others.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

2 Corinthians 3:9

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ministration

↗

Service, ministry, administration, or the work or office of supplying or conveying something to others.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

condemnation

↗

The act or sentence of declaring guilty and liable to judgment; the state, cause, or result of being condemned.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

glory

↗

Sense 1: Splendour, honour, praise, majesty, or a ground of rejoicing or boasting. Sense 2: To boast, exult, take pride, or rejoice in a person or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · 2 Corinthians 3:1–18

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

3:1DO we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

3:2Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

Selected passage

3:3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Selected passage

3:4And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

Selected passage

3:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Selected passage

3:6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Selected passage

3:7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

Selected passage

3:8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

Selected passage

3:9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Selected passage

3:10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

3:11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

3:12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

3:13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

3:14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

3:15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

3:16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

3:17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

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